Barn Day
About Barn Day
When is National Barn Day? This holiday is celebrated on the second Sunday in July
A barn is an iconic outbuilding on just about every farm in rural America. Usually painted a traditional, classic red color, it is the heart of the farm. And, it evokes thoughts and warm feelings of a quieter place and time in American life. So, today, we celebrate National Barn Day. On this July holiday, we turn nostalgic as we think about them and imagine life on the farm.
Historically, the life of a barn begins with a barn-raising. This is a community event. All the neighbors and townsfolk get together and help with its construction. The ladies prepare food and drink for the workers. They gather and help with the tools. They provide encouragement as the structure goes up, too. The men provide the brawn and the muscle. Depending upon the size of the barn, the frame can rise in just a day. Nowadays, barn-raising events are infrequent. Most construction is performed by professional contractors.
Once the structure is completed, it is used for a wide variety of purposes. There’s plenty of room for farm equipment, tools, and machinery. Horses and cows are often housed in them. Other farm animals take up residence, too. But, not all farm animals live in them. Pigs reside in a pigsty, while chickens, ducks, and geese live in a coop. Hay is a common item stored in the loft. Other farm produce may also find temporary storage here.
Song of the Day: Old McDonald Had a Farm.
Our Favorite Vowels: “E-I-E-I-O.
What are Barns Used For?
The primary use for a barn on a farm is to shelter farm animals, and store farm equipment. Just about any farm animal can be housed in a barn full-time, or during inclement weather. Here are just a few of the many uses for a barn. Among them are:
- Store hay and oats to feed farm animals.
- House horses along with saddles and other riding equipment.
- Repair area to fix farm tools and equipment.
- Store farm tractors, seeders, balers, reapers, and other farm machinery.
- Hold barn dances.
Repurposed barns have a wide range of uses. Here are just some of them:
- Reception and party venue.
- Store antique automobiles.
- Antique shops.
- Country stores.
- Unique restaurants, cideries, wineries, and breweries.
- Converted to housing.
- Ideas for repurposed barns is almost endless.
Farm and Barn Day Trivia and Fun Facts
Here are some barn trivia and farm fun facts:
- The first barn dances were held in Scotland in the 1860s.
- In 1935, there were 6.8 million farms in the United States. And most of the farms had at least one barn.
- In 2023, there were an estimated 1.89 million farms in the United States. Yes, small farms are disappearing at a fast pace.
- Only 650,000 barns still exist in the United States.
- Red is by far the most popular color.
- The primary purpose of a windmill on a farm is to pump water.
- A group of pigs is called a “sounder”.
- Corn (maize) is the main cereal crop in the United States.
- A “Heifer” is a young female cow who has not yet had a calf.
How to Celebrate National Barn Day
There are many things you can do to celebrate this holiday. Here are a few ideas:
- Visit a working farm.
- Travel the rural countryside looking for barns. Take pictures.
- Attend a barn dance.
- Organize a barn dance.
- If you ever get the chance to participate in a barn-raising, don’t miss the opportunity. Along with a lot of work, it is also a lot of fun. And, you meet wonderful people.
- Retail outlets should hold Barnbuster sales today.
National Barn Day Today's Quotes
“I was so naive as a kid I used to sneak behind the barn and do nothing.” – – Johnny Carson
“Do not let a flattering woman coax and wheedle you and deceive you; she is after your barn.” – – Hesiod
History and Origin of National Barn Day
Our research has not yet found the creator of this day or why it was created. One reference we found stated this holiday has been around for over 50 years, Another reference stated it began in 2019. The holiday has yet to attain broad recognition. (Let’s change that!)
The earliest references we found both state that this holiday is celebrated on the second Sunday in July. A couple of websites report it as July 14. We believe these websites are incorrect.
Originally titled Barn Day, a couple of internet websites have recently referred to it as National Barn Day. However, it is not a true “National” day. Neither the U.S. Congress nor the President of the United States has proclaimed today to be a “National” day. If you’d like this to become a true “National” day, contact your congressperson.
Neither the U.S. Congress nor the President of the United States has proclaimed today a true “National” holiday.
Definition of “National” Days – and why it is important to distinguish true National days.
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